I started at Trinity Church in Lubbock, TX exactly two years ago today.  What a change that was for my family and I!  We’ve adjusted moderately well to not having trees in our yard, and the dust storms are beginning to grown on us.  The growth we’ve seen in the Children’s ministry here at Trinity has been phenomenal over the past two years, and the future is sure to be exciting.  As I was reflecting over my 2 year anniversary, I pulled out my answers to some questions that Trinity asked me to answer during the arduous interview process.  One of the questions was, “In your opinion, what are the characteristics of a healthy children’s ministry?”

What a great question, and one that I struggle with often.  Health is such an evolving word, with health meaning different things to different kids at different stages of life.  Here is how I answered it back then, and with maybe a few minor variations it’s still true for me today.

The characteristics of a healthy children’s ministry include (in no particular order):

• Children that have learned the responsibility to serve those around them. Helping children see themselves as a one very important part in a much larger story than they can see with their own eyes.  This is a challenge, because it’ challenges the Adam within all of us.  Thinking of others first isn’t a natural thing, and must be reinforced.
• An environment that is accepting of everyone, and makes everyone feel welcome. Much easier to accept kids than to accept their entire families.  True acceptance of children can only happen when entire families are welcomed and involved in the process of Spiritual growth.
• Leaders who are inspired to teach and lead. Leaders that know they are God’s vessels of service.  Ministry to children will inevitably become ministry to leaders.  It is my desire to see growth in everyone involved in Children’s Ministry, and this growth will be deliberately pursued.
• Children who have an understanding of their important place in God’s kingdom. Children looking for ways to actively demonstrate their place in God’s Kingdome before everyone. (Parents, teachers, friends, etc…)
• Changed lives and families in the overall church population. Change lives are the currency that we measure success by!  If lives aren’t being changed, then changes must be made.  More specifically I desire to see children be the catalyst to change for entire families to come to Christ.

Yesterday I had the opportunity to go to work in my son’s Elementary school.  He attends Lubbock-Cooper West Elementary, and this is the first year this campus has been open.  It’s been a great experience, and I can’t speak enough to the quality of my son’s public education experience so far.  One of the new things they’re doing this year is the Watchdogs program.  Basically the fathers, grandfathers, step-fathers, uncles and other father figures sign-up to work one entire day on campus sometime during the school year.  We were encouraged to use a vacation, solicit help from our employer for a community service opportunity, and to rearrange our lives to make this happen.

WATCH D.O.G.S.® (Dads Of Great Students) is the safe school initiative of the National Center for Fathering that involves fathers and father figures to help create a more safe and secure learning environment in our nation’s schools.

Check out the ABC World News story about WATCH D.O.G.S.

Who are Watchdogs? Fathers, grandfathers, step-fathers, uncles, and other father figures who volunteer to serve at least one day each year in a variety of school activities as assigned by the school principal or other administrator.

Here are some thoughts from my day as a Watchdog Dad:

• It was really wonderful in it’s simplicity.  I arrived at the school at 7:30 in the morning, and was handed a schedule of classrooms, and areas I was to visit.  Easy, Easy!
• In between different classroom visits, I was to walk the perimeter of the campus and just keep an eye out for whatever may or may not be happening.
• It was heartbreaking to meet so many kids who told me their Dad’s would NOT be a watchdog.  One girl even asked me, “Are you going to get fired from your job for being here?”
• The t-Shirt they made me wear was horrible!  I understand the need for us to be clearly visible to teachers and students, but I felt like a big 1980’s walking billboard with this cartoon dog on my shirt.

• I spent time in a 4th grade science class, hung up artwork for a 3rd grade teacher, fixed a desk for another 3rd grade teacher, read to a class of 3rd graders during snack time, opened 100 chocolate milk containers for Kindergarten lunch period, played kickball in Gym class, did multiplication flash cards with 3rd graders (and addition with 1st graders), helped kids in a 2nd grade class get their backpacks ready to go home at the end of the day.
• It’s really cool to now know everything that goes on in and around my son’s school.  I feel like I met so many more people than I do when I go on field trips or classroom parties.
• The best thing about the entire experience was the impression I made on my son.  He acted like his dad was a celebrity, and kept telling me all day how glad he was that I was a Watchdog.  Cracked me up!
• I saw dozens of kids that attend our church, and as a Children’s Pastor I must say that it was really cool to see our kids in a different environment.  I think it freaked some of them out a little that I was at their school, which I think is cool.

I am the #2 twitter in the great city of Lubbock, TX. You follow my twitter feed right? If only all those running around in the complicated world of Facebook would discover the great waste of time that is twitter.

And yes, that says much more about Lubbock than it does me…

Last night we decorated the tree, and now the living room is aglow with the Christmas lights. As we countdown our Advent Calendar this year, I thought I’d share some of what we are doing as a family to fully worship Christ this Christmas.

• As a family we are participating in the Advent Conspiracy. Our church is going through it as well, but as a family we are making it very intentional this year. Have you seen the video?
• We’ve usually bought our kids 3 gifts each for Christmas. (We’ve use the 3 gift & 3 wise men angle.) However this year we told our kids that we are letting them give away one of their gifts. We’re having each of our kids make a donation to Living Water International. We spent time at dinner talking about those that don’t have water, and how this Christmas we are going to be a part of helping them get clean water. So it’s two gifts a piece for them, and one gift a piece that will be given to someone who really needs it. …and don’t shed a tear for my mistreated children, the gifts from grandparents and extended family will more than leave them with fun things on Christmas!
  
• We are making a very intentional effort to make things for those family members that live outside of Lubbock. Yes, make things. With our own hands. Using our brains. Watch those mailboxes, because we’re filling them up!
• Our church and outreach center does a yearly “Christmas Blessing Day” and we’re going to serve as an entire family. At the Blessing Day we distribute food, presents, and many other goodies to those in need of something a little extra this Christmas. All 5 of us, from me to my 3 year old daughter will be serving drinks and cookies to those in attendance. I real-life family service project!
• We did Advent for the first time last year, and it seems more and more are reintroducing themselves to a sacred tradition. We’ll light the Advent candles, read scripture together, and most importantly try and create deserved anticipation towards the birth of our saviour.
• Finally we will be celebrating Christmas in the ever fun way of watching Christmas movies. Don’t know what to watch? Check THIS out! We’re even planning a Polar Express Family Night in a few weeks.

The other day I didn’t even realize it was cold until I got to work, and had to walk from my car to the church. How spoiled am I?

Sorry about the Christianizing of that video, didn’t realize until it was posted…Still funny though.